My name is April Coan, and I am an Academic Success Coach and the Assistant Director at the Office of Undergraduate Student Success. Throughout the fall semester, I will be offering tips and suggestions in The Current, which will focus on topics like success in college and taking advantage of the unique opportunities available at NSU.
If college was a “Star Wars” movie, stress would be Han Solo. Like Han Solo, stress is an adrenaline junkie thriving on drama and action. Stress also has a very bad reputation. Although it can sometimes be good and give you the drive to study for a midterm exam or write a 15-page paper, reoccurring and chronic stress can be harmful to your emotional and mental well-being. Whether you are stressing over your next exam or a demanding work schedule, learning how to properly manage stress levels can help you achieve a better quality of life. To better manage your stress, you may want to try some of the following techniques recommended by the American Psychological Association:
- Go to bed at a regular time each night. Obtaining at least seven to eight hours of rest each night can greatly improve your well-being and reduce stress. To ensure that you get the proper amount of sleep each night, go to bed at a regular time and remove all distractions, like iPhones and tablets, from your bedside.
- Improve your lifestyle choices. Small lifestyle changes can sometimes have a big effect on your life. The next time you feel stressed, take some time to analyze what is causing you to feel that way, and brainstorm ways to change your situation. For example, if you notice you experience stress and anxiety after your 45-minute commute to school, a possible solution might be to rent an apartment closer to campus. If you live on campus and experience stress over course load or roommate issues, try and brainstorm ways you can mitigate your stress level and resolve issues that are causing your anxiety.
- Go on a daily walk. Getting a little fresh air and exercise each day can greatly improve your mental and emotional health. A little exercise can help your body produce endorphins that will make you feel happier and, as a result, less stressed.
- Change your behavior. Many times in life, we do not have control over what happens to us, but we do have control over how we react. Use the power of positive thinking to train your brain to react positively to negative stimuli. This is easier said than done, but it’s not impossible. Here’s an example of positive thinking: you learn tomorrow that you didn’t get the internship you hoped for. You could respond negatively by getting angry, or you could react positively and look at this situation as an opportunity to explore other career options.
If you want to read more about how to manage your stress, you can visit the American Psychological Association website at apa.org.
